Telescoping ordnance device

ABSTRACT

1. An ordnance device adapted for flight through the air comprising: A PLURALITY OF INDIVIDUAL WARHEADS IN TELESCOPED RELATION; MEANS FOR EXTENDING THE LENGTH OF THE ORDNANCE DEVICE FROM A COLLAPSED POSITION FOR STORAGE TO AN EXTENDED POSITION IN FLIGHT; AND STOP MEANS ON EACH OF SAID WARHEADS FOR PREVENTING SEPARATION OF ADJACENT WARHEADS WHEN SAID DEVICE IS IN ITS EXTENDED POSITION.

States Potteiger et al.

[45] July 18, 1972 [54] TELESCOPING ORJDNANCE DEVICE [72] Inventors:Lester A. Potteiger, Fredericksburgh, Va.; The United States of Americaas represented by the Secretary of the Navy 22 Filed: Sept. 29, 1966 21App1.No.: 583,498

[52] US. Cl ..l02/56, 102/58, 102/67 [51] Int. I F42b 13/32 [58] Fieldof Search 102/5, 7.2 XR, 7.4, 34.1, 56 XR,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,464,192 8/1923 Willson..l02/63 2,293,817 8/1942 Gruver ..l02/7.4 2,368,587 1/1945 Wise..102/63 Primary Examiner-Verlin R. Pendegrass Attorney-G. J. Rubens,Arthur L. Branning and Lawrence R. Radanovic EXEMPLARY CLAIM 1. Anordnance device adapted for flight through the air comprising:

a plurality of individual warheads in telescoped relation; means forextending the length of the ordnance device from a collapsed positionfor storage to an extended position in flight; and stop means on each ofsaid warheads for preventing separation of adjacent warheads when saiddevice is in its extended position.

12 Clains, 5 Drawing figures Patented July 18, 1972 2 Sheets-Sheet lINVENTOR LESTER ,4. Pom/6m A XaM W R BY Patent July 1, 1972 2Sheets-Sheet 3 y MN TELESCOPING ORDNANCE DEVICE The invention describedherein may be manufactured and used by or for the Government of theUnited States of America for governmental purposes without the paymentof any royalties thereon or therefor.

The present invention relates generally to an ordnance device whosedesign is applicable to a wide variety of high explosive devices,including bombs, missile warheads and gunfired projectiles. Theinvention involves particularly an ordnance device constructed of aseries of individual hollow concentric right circular cylinder warheadsin telescoping relationship with each other such that upon deployment,the device is extended, thereby providing for a greater amount ofeffective kill mechanism, for a greater target area by the killmechanism, and a more effective use of a given volume for purposes ofdelivering kill mechanisms to the target.

Currently present in the ordnance art are ordnance devices having abasic cylindrical shape fixed both in diameter and length, i.e., atleast until detonation of the high explosive and subsequent expansion ofthe high explosive case. The dimensions of these devices must be fixedfor many reasonseconomy, efficiency, handling, aircraft capabilities,propulsion capabilities, etc. Because the volume and mass of a missilewarhead, for example, are so fixed, the amount of kill mechanism thatcan be delivered to the target, the target area covered by the killmechanism and the efiective use of the given volume for a particularkill mechanism are restricted to some extent. Naturally, the greater theamount of effective kill mechanism and area covered by that killmechanism, the greater the probability of target kill. On the otherhand, if the kill mechanism cannot be adequately distributed at thetarget, the probability of a hit is decreased, hence, also theprobability of a kill. Regarding adequacy of the kill mechanismdistribution, sometimes the complete volume allowed for the ordnancedevice is not required to efiectively propel the kill mechanism, or thelength-to-diameter ratio of the volume is such that effective andefficient kill mechanism propulsion is not possible. For example,several continuous rod warheads have a central cavity free of highexplosive. Filling the cavity with explosive in order to increaseadequacy of the kill mechanism distribution would necessitate completeredesign of the warhead. The preformed fragmentation warhead is anexample of a possibly improper length-todiameter ratio. Unless thisratio is carefully designed, the multi-layers of metal cube fragmentsmay not be an effective nor efiicient way to propel fragments due totheir interaction and breakup. Ordnance devices are designed for aparticular job or for a specific target. The method of delivery, size,type of kill mechanism, etc., must be considered in their design. Aparticular fragmentation, for example, requires a particular metal-massto explosive-mass ratio. The telescoping ordnance device of the presentinvention can adequately solve the above-mentioned problems since thedevice can be applied to most ordnance devices and kill mechanisms.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide anordnance device for producing a greater amount of effective killmechanism, i.e., fragmentation blast, shaped charge, fire, etc., from agiven volume.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an ordnance devicefor producing a greater target coverage by the kill mechanism byproviding a means for increaing the effective length of the device.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a telescopingordnance device in order to achieve a more efiective use of a givenvolume for purposes of delivering kill mechanisms to a target.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide atelescoping ordnance device comprised of a series of individual, hollow,concentric, right circular cylinder warheads which, after the device isdeployed expands to thereby increase the surface area over which thekill mechanism may be distributed.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide atelescoping ordnance device constructed of individual warheads eachhaving a common axis and being of different diameters, such thatextension of the device is made possible by retardation means such asfins afiixed to the device by hinges.

Other objects, advantages and novel features of the present inventionwill become apparent from the following detailed description of theinvention when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawingswherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of a three-stage telescoping ordnancedevice of the instant invention shown in its collapsed position;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the device shown in FIG. 1 with the extendablefins shown extended in phantom;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged quarter section longitudinal view of the deviceshown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal side elevation, partly broken away, showing theinstant device in its fully extended position; and

FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of the device according to FIG. 1difiering thereover only by an attached nose, the nose ended device alsoshown partially extended in phantom in the direction of the arrow.

Referring now to the drawings wherein like characters designate like orcorresponding parts throughout the several views, there is shown atelescoping ordnance device 10 which, as its name applies, resembles andfunctions like a telescope. To describe the device and illustrate itsoperation a fragmenting missile warhead has been selected. Thetelescoping warhead 10 is constructed of a series of individual, hollow,concentric right circular cylinder warheads 11, 21, and 31 with orwithout end enclosures, each having a common axis and of differentdiameters such that they fit one within the other, as is clearly shownin FIG. 1 with the device in its collapsed position. Cylinders ll, 21,and 31, any number and size of which can be used within the limitationsof the dimensions of the particular volume, are fabricated such thatwhen the innermost cylinder 11, for example, is fully extended byholding the opposite or outermost cylinder 31 fixed and pulling alongthe common axis, the entire device resembles an extended or fully openedtelescope as illustrated in FIG. 4.

Directing attention to FIG. 3, the innermost cylinder 11 comprises anouter cylindrical casing wall 12, which, in this case is a fragmentationtype casing, having at its aft end a collar or end stop 15, forward andaft end plates and in the forward end plate a high explosive pluggedloading port 14. A high explosive of any conventional type occupies thespace between the forward and aft end plates and side wall 12. Thelength of cylinder 11 is such that a ring extension 17 is provided fornose attachment to be hereinafter described. Also, near the aft portionof cylinder 1 1 is provided a laterally disposed tube 16 for amechanical locking device to be hereinafter described. Qlinder 11 may becompletely hollow as shown or may have an axially disposed spaced tubetherewithin such that a double wall cylinder would result.

Central cylinder 21 is similar to cylinder 11 in that an outercylindrical wall or casing 22 is provided having an end stop or collar25 at its aft portion and end plates, forward and aft, with the latterhaving a high explosive loading plugged port 24 therein. An innercylindrical casing 23 is also provided and has at its forward outer endan end stop or collar 28 such that an air space 27 is formed betweencylinders 11 and 21 and between end stops l5 and 28. Any desirable highexplosive fills the space between walls 22, 23 and the forward and aftend plates. A laterally disposed hollow tube ,26 is also provided inco-axial relationship with tube 16.

Outerrnost tube 31 is similar to cylinder 21 in that an outercylindrical casing or fragmentation wall 32 is provided, an innercylindrical wall 39 spaced from the outer casing, and forward and aftend plates with the aft plate having therein a high explosive pluggedloading port 34. Wall 32 is recessed along its aft end as at 35. Inorder to accommodate a foldable retardation fin 40, hinged thereto as at41, inner wall 39 has along its forward end an end stop 37 securedthereto by an end stop fastener 38, which stop is similar to end stop 28of the center cylinder 21. An air space 29 is formed between walls 22and 39 and between end stops 25 and 37. As in cylinders 11 and 21, alaterally disposed pin cylinder 36 is provided in axial alignment withtubes 16 and 26.

In operation, cylinder 31 is effectively held fixed by-retardation fins40, which, just prior to target contact and warhead detonation, areextended to a position as shown in FIG. 4. Extension is effected asaerodynamic force on fin stop 45 lifts the fins away from cylinder 31after a strap 44, which may be frangible or weakened in sections, breaksaway. Fin stop 45 limits the movement of retardation fins 40 away fromcylinder 31. Strap 44 is for the purpose of holding the fins against thedevice and also for maintaining pin 42 within aligned tubes 16, 26 and36. Air drag caused by the fins is sufficient to slow the outermostcylinder 31 and allow the device to deploy and extend by virtue of theforward velocity of the missile. As the fins are deployed, a mechanicallocking device which prevents the warhead from telescoping is released.The mechanical locking device may be a spring loaded pin 42 which isejected as the fins are deployed. A spring 43 disposed in tube 16 willfacilitate pin ejection as strap 44 breaks away and fins 40 extend. Theabove-described end stops cooperate to prevent separation of theindividual cylinders along their axis as they are deployed.

As shown in FIG. 5, the innermost cylinder 11 may have an aerodynamicnose 18 which may also function to propel fragmentation. Nose 18 may bethreaded onto extension 17 by means of external (as shown) or internalthreads. Each cylinder 11, 21, 31 is cast loaded with high explosivethrough their respective loading ports and each is provided with somemeans of explosive initiation. One means of inltiation would be toprovide each cylinder with its own fuse. Until release and subsequentmissile-to-target contact, the telescoping warhead is unextended asshown in FIG. 1. Upon missile contact with the target, the warhead isextended as shown in FIG. 4 without the aid of electronic or complex ormechanical means.

From the above description, it is obvious that the telescoping ordnancedevice of the present invention will provide for a greater amount, overand above that from a conventional device, of effective kill mechanismfrom a given volume. This has been accomplished by providing a greatersurface area over which the kill mechanism may be distributed moreefiectively for propulsion. The present telescoping ordnance device willprovide for a greater target area coverage by the kill mechanism overand above that of a conventional device. This is accomplished byproviding a means for increasing the effective length of the ordnancedevice. The telescoping ordnance device will also enable more effectiveand efiicient use of a given volume and launching of kill mechanism overand above that of a conventional device for purposes of deliveringeffective kill mechanism to the target. This is achieved by providingessentially unrestricted dimensions of the ordnance device, i.e., size,thickness and number of hollow cylinders may be varied to suit the killmechanism within imposed restrictions. The telescoping ordnance deviceof the present invention also provides for a more efficient and moreeconomical storage of potential kill mechanism because it is stored andlaunched in its compact, unextended configuration and is capable ofcarrying a greater amount of the kill mechanism. Many alternativematerials, methods and constructions of the invention are possible. Thechoice of the general term kill mechanism" rather than a specific termsuch as blast illustrates the possibilities in this area. The individualcylinders may be fabricated of any one or more materials both metallicand non-metallic. The cylinders need not have true cylindrical surfaces,for example, a shaped charge kill mechanism may be used in which casethe outer surface of the cylinders may be dimpled. The cylinders may ormay not have one end fully closed by a circular plate. The innermostcylinder may be retarded rather than the outermost. A retardationparachute could be used instead of the fins especially with a free-fallweapon. A blunt nose may be used rather than an aerodynamic one as shownin FIG. 5. Of course, the telescoping ordnance device of the presentdesign may be applied to any basically cylindrical ordnance deviceincluding free-fall and retarded bombs, missile warheads and gun fireprojectiles. Fusing of the individual cylinder missile warheads may beaccomplished or one may be fused and the other detonated successively orby means on an explosive train. As already noted, .the size, thicknessand number of cylinders may be varied.

The invention has been described in an illustrative manner and it is tobe understood that the terminology which has been used herein isintended to be in the nature of words of description rather than oflimitation.

Obviously many modifications and variations of .the present inventionare possible in the light of the above teachings. It is therefore to beunderstood that within the scope of the appended claims the inventionmay be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

What is claimed is: 1. An ordnance device adapted for flight through theair comprising:

a plurality of individual warheads in telescoped relation; means forextending the length of the ordnance device from a collapsed positionfor storage to an extended position in flight; and

stop means on each of said warheads for preventing separation ofadjacent warheads when said device is in its extended position. i

2. The device of claim 1 further comprising:

locking means for preventing extension of the device when in the storedposition; and

means for releasing the locking means during flight of the ordnancedevice.

3. The device of claim 2 wherein the means for extending the effectivelength comprises retardation means fixed to one of the individualwarheads for slowing the device sufficiently to allow the remainingwarheads to deploy and extend by virtue of their forward momentum afterthe locking means is released.

4. The device of claim 3 wherein said warheads comprise hollow,concentric, right-circular cylinders.

5. The device of claim 3 wherein said retardation means compriseshingedly fixed fins.

6. The device of claim 4 wherein said retardation means compriseshingedly fixed fins.

7. The device of claim 4 wherein said warheads are filled with a highexplosive.

8. The device of claim 7 wherein all but the innermost of said warheadsare double walled with said explosive occupying the space between saiddouble walls.

9. The device of claim 3 wherein said locking means comprises a springreleased pin laterally disposed to and interlocking said warheads.

10. The device of claim 3 wherein said locking means comprises a springreleased pin laterally disposed to and interlocking said cylinders.

11. The device of claim 4 and further including an aerodynamic noseafiixed to the innermost of said cylinders.

12. The device of claim 5 wherein:

the fins are hingedly fixed so as to be folded in the storage positionto lie generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the ordnancedevice and further comprising:

a fin stop attached to each fin near the hinge point and extendingoutwardly at an angle therefrom;

whereby pressure of the air on the fin stop as the device travelsthrough the air will extend the fins; and

whereby the amount of extension of the fins will be limited by pressureof the fin stop against the body of the device.

1. An ordnance device adapted for flight through the air comprising: aplurality of individual warheads in telescoped relation; means forextending the length of the ordnance device from a collapsed positionfor storage to an extended position in flight; and stop means on each ofsaid warheads for preventing separation of adjacent warheads when saiddevice is in its extended position.
 2. The device of claim 1 furthercomprising: locking means for preventing extension of the device when inthe stored position; and means for releasing the locking means duringflight of the ordnance device.
 3. The device of claim 2 wherein themeans for extending the effective length comprises retardation meansfixed to one of the individual warheads for slowing the devicesufficiently to allow the remaining warheads to deploy and extend byvirtue of their forward momentum after the locking means is released. 4.The device of claim 3 wherein said warheads comprise hollow, concentric,right-circular cylinders.
 5. The device of claim 3 wherein saidretardation means comprises hingedly fixed fins.
 6. The device of claim4 wherein said retardation means comprises hingedly fixed fins.
 7. Thedevice of claim 4 wherein said warheads are filled with a highexplosive.
 8. The device of claim 7 wherein all but the innermost ofsaid warheads are double walled with said explosive occupying the spacebetween said double walls.
 9. The device of claim 3 wherein said lockingmeans comprises a spring released pin laterally disposed to andinterlocking said warheads.
 10. The device of claim 3 wherein saidlocking means comprises a spring released pin laterally disposed to andinterlocking said cylinders.
 11. The device of claim 4 and furtherincluding an aerodynamic nose affixed to the innermost of saidcylinders.
 12. The device of claim 5 wherein: the fins are hingedlyfixed so as to be folded in the storage position to lie generallyparallel to the longitudinal axis of the ordnance device and furthercomprising: a fin stop attached to each fin near the hinge point andextending outwardly at an angle therefrom; whereby pressure of the airon the fin stop as the device travels through the air will extend thefins; and whereby the amount of extension of the fins will be limited bypressure of the fin stop against the body of the device.